Provincial Government Invests $2 million for Agriculture Workforce Development

Jan 27, 2023

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture have reached an agreement for the Provincial Government to invest $2 million over three years to drive workforce development and support continued growth of this flourishing sector.

This investment, funded through the Canada – Newfoundland Labrador Labour Marketing Development Agreement, supports farmers and secondary processors in the agriculture sector to fine-tune their human resources needs and unlock new markets for their products. The Provincial Government is committed to supporting the workforce development needs of the agriculture sector and ensuring its innovative and industrious members receive the tools necessary to continue their rapid growth.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture will start developing strategies to continue diversifying the province’s agriculture industry, and stimulate employment by updating skills the sector requires. This will include profiling employment opportunities in agriculture, and contributing to the development of additional agriculture-related studies at Grenfell Campus of Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic. Farmers will be connected with programs to help fund training for new employees so that their workforce is equipped with the latest industry best practices.

For additional examples of continuing support for workforce development throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, please see the backgrounder below.

Source : Gov.Nl.ca

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.